The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1887-04-28
PRICE 5 CENTS.
THE NATIONAL DRILL.
FULL PARTICULARS ABOUT THE
BIG ENCAMPMENT,
Washington City Making Ready for
the Coming of the Soldiers-Targe
Crowds Expected.


/ SPesaSt Correspondence of the Sentinel.
WASHINGTON. April 26, 1857
Next month the National CAPITAL will
see more OF the "pomp and circum-
stance OF war" than ever before. 1t
is probable too that the largest crowd
OF visitors that ever assembled in this
city Will come to witness the most
novel event that will take place here
during the present year. The National
Drill will commence on the 23rd of
May and close on the 3Oth of that
month, Decoration Day." with a
grand combination parade upon the
broad, asphalt streets of soldiers from
everywhere.
The North, South, East and West.
Lake regions and Cult sections win
be represented by their contingent of
slghtseers as well as their citizen sol
dIery who will compete for the prizes.
May finds Washington in its glory;
fresh verdure, balmy air and flowers,
and military displays are always pop
ular. The flare of brass bands, the
shrill piping fiftes, the "heroic voices
OF the bugles,' the rattling drums, the
FURNISHED arms, the brilliant uniforms,
prancing steeds, white city of tents,
and flying banners always appeal to the
senses and martial spirit of the people.
The grounds for the camp are the
monument grounds lying around the
Washington Monument; and the drill
ground is that level ellipse living lust
south of the White House, known as
the White Lot. This level plain is
one half mile in circumference, and
stands will be erected around it on
which to seat the spectators. Here
will daily be held the contests to prove
the excellence of the cavalry, infantry,
artillery and zouave tactics. Every
evening during drill week there will
be grand brigade dress parade, and
on Governors day and Memorial day
the entire army corps from Camp
George Washington will parade
through the streets of the city. Each
evening the grounds will be 1llumin-
ated for promenade concerts, and other
attractions which are being prepared
for the public
Besides the S26,5OO to be distribu.
ted in cash prizes, there will be gold,
silver and bronze medals, special
medals and plate trophies and stands
of colors. Some of the companies
which are entered for the drill have
said in advance that they have no ex-
pectatloD of winning prizes, but that
they are coming simply for the recrea-
ton and pleasure of the trip. Thirty
six States are already represented in
the applications made for entry. and
| yesterday one was received at the Drill
headquarters from Dakota.
One very important feature Of the
affair Is the provision for board and
shelter for the immense crowd OF Wis
itors that will come. Washington is
a city Of hotels and boarding houses.
1t was not crowded during the Cleve-
land Inauguration, although it was
estimated that there were then two
hundred thousand strangers in the
city. Washington offers many induce
ments for a weeks visit besides the
National Drill. 1t is by far the most
beautiful as we'll as the most interest
ing city In the Union, and Arlington,
Bladensburg, Mount Vernon, Har-
pers Ferry and many other historic
SI'Olo tti Z NAOoC D1.
Ihe action OF the two military com
panies in Withdrawing from the Drill
because Of the participation of eolored
troops in the contest, created no little
surprise among the managers. At
first they were disposed to discredit the
dispatches from Alabama. When they
were confirmed, Secretary De Leon of
the Drill committee remarked that he
did not propose to criticise the with
drawal of the Montgomery companies,
they had a perfect right to come or
not as they pleased; bu5 regarding
the admission OF the Virginia State
Guards, he said that they are recog-
nized and regularly organized soldiers
Of the State OF Virginia, and their
right to enter could not be denied IN
der any law, civil, military or moral.
Gov. Lee had assigned them places in
the military ceremonies at the laying
of the corner stone of Richmond's
City Hall. "Our committee" said he,
sis composed almost entirely of Demo
Gratis and of Southern men; but there
was rot the least hesitancy or delay
when the first colored company made
its formal application
The Montgomery Greys and True
Blues are the only organizations which
have withdrawn, but in view of the
fact that colored soldiery took part in
the Inauguration of President Cleve-
land without giving ofense to any
section, it is to be regretted that the
admittance of colored military to
National Encampment of volunteer
soldiery, intended to illustrate their
proficiency in the manual of arms,
should be construed as an impropriety